BENCH in memory a young Bentley man, who died in a car accident, has been stolen just five days after being put up.
The £700 bench was erected on Bentley Recreation Ground in memory of Andrew Meatyard, who died aged 23 nearly three years ago in an accident on the A31.
Bentley Athletic, for whom Andrew played, arranged many fundraising matches after his death to raise money for the bench and memorial plaque. The bench was put up on Saturday, April 19, and Andrew's father planned to add the plaque the following Saturday, but by the Thursday, the bench had disappeared.
"It was set in concrete with bolts, so they must have levered it out, I'd love to get hold of whoever did it," said Colin, who owns Marelands Farm in the village.
"We're going to get another one. I'm not letting them beat me."
Mr Meatyard's partner Lorraine Yardley described Andrew as "really popular guy" and the thieves as "low life".
"This Saturday was meant to be Colin's proudest day when a plaque was placed on the bench but it turned out to be one of the saddest days," she said.
"We can only hope that whoever is offered a seven-foot expensive bench would have more heart than the thieves and let us have the bench back."
Colin Meatyard and Bryan Cox at the site where Andrew Meatyard's bench was situated.